Cover Art for Tobey Wyatt of Motherlode Consulting

tobey wyatt

Disconnect From Traditional Office Norms

In a world reshaped by the pandemic, remote work has emerged as a transformative force. But what does it take to truly harness its potential? Tobey Wyatt, the visionary founder of Motherlode Consulting, offers invaluable insights into this evolving landscape in a recent podcast episode.


2.18 From Corporate Disillusionment to Entrepreneurial Empowerment Work From Home Forever

Join Tobey Wyatt, visionary founder of Motherlode Consulting, as she shares her inspiring journey from navigating unemployment to establishing a thriving business focused on people-centered operational solutions. Tobey delves into the complexities of remote work and the transformative power of effective communication and operational practices. Drawing from her extensive experience in operations and chief of staff roles, Tobey highlights the challenges she faced during her tenure at Boeing and USAA, where she grappled with the disconnect between traditional office norms and modern work paradigms. Transitioning to remote work amid the pandemic, Tobey encountered resistance but championed remote work advocacy, emphasizing the importance of challenging conventional norms and fostering inclusive work environments. Learn how Tobey's experiences led to the genesis of Motherlode Consulting and her mission to empower small businesses with robust operational frameworks. Discover Tobey's insights on navigating remote work challenges and embracing adaptable strategies for success. To learn more about Tobey Wyatt and Motherlode Consulting: ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ________________________  Do you love the show? Check out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠official merch page⁠⁠⁠ ⁠on Etsy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and support the show! ________________________ Remote.io is one the most viewed job boards by remote job seekers. Reach tens of thousands of monthly visitors searching for remote jobs and work-from-home careers. ⁠⁠⁠Discover the best remote jobs to work from home.⁠⁠ ________________________

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Meet Tobey Wyatt

Tobey’s journey from navigating unemployment to establishing a thriving business focused on people-centered operational solutions is both inspiring and enlightening. Drawing from her extensive experience in operations and chief of staff roles, Tobey has become a leading advocate for remote work, spearheading operational transformations for businesses nationwide.

Disconnects Between Office Norms and Remote Work

Her experiences at Boeing and USAA laid the groundwork for her remote work advocacy, highlighting the disconnect between traditional office norms and modern work paradigms. Transitioning to remote work amid the pandemic, Tobey faced resistance but championed adaptable strategies that prioritize communication, performance, and inclusivity.

Designing the Optimal Remote Organization

Central to Tobey’s approach is the recognition of common challenges faced by remote-first companies, such as communication and performance metrics. By addressing these challenges head-on and fostering inclusive work environments, Tobey aims to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and operational excellence.

Profound Benefits of Remote Work

Tobey’s firsthand experience as a working parent underscores the profound benefits of remote work, from flexibility to managing personal obligations without sacrificing productivity. Through her journey, she emphasizes the importance of clear communication, empathy, and continuous improvement in navigating the remote work landscape.

Tobey’s Workplace Persona

Reflecting on her workplace persona as “learning, honest, and collaborative,” Tobey invites individuals and organizations to embrace resilience and teamwork in the pursuit of operational excellence.

For those inspired to connect with Tobey or learn more about her work at Motherlode Consulting, inquiries are welcome via LinkedIn or through the Motherlode website. Tobey’s narrative serves as a beacon for anyone navigating the complexities of remote work, offering invaluable insights into harnessing its potential for growth and flexibility in the modern workplace.

Connect with Tobey


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Q&A with Tobey

Why did you want to Work From Home Forever?

Nothing solidified it more than going in to the Boeing HQ in downtown Chicago after a 50 minute commute to sit in a completely internal private office for 8+ hours a day with the door closed. I was doing my work through a computer screen anyway, why waste 2 hours of my personal time to do it from a less healthy location than I had at home?

How long have you been Working From Home, Forever?

I began working from home when Boeing had to have people working remotely for the pandemic (so, March 2020), but I had been doing remote work from an office since 2018.

What tradeoffs, if any, did you make in order to Work From Home Forever?

I love in person whiteboarding sessions, and while there are great tools that allow close to the same experience, its not quite there. However, I think I could build a company that can use those tools much of the time, but occasionally offer an in person time where we try to do our biggest thinking at those opportunities. My day to day tradeoffs are only positive, I get 2 hours of my life back, less wear and tear on my car, and less money on food and clothing I don’t need!

How do you manage work/life balance Working From Home, Forever?

I have small kids, and for me, they provide a brake pedal to my time, whether I like that or not. While others complain they work too often, sometimes I get frustrated I can’t work more. But, in the end, I know this is actually really good for me, and allows a force boundary that hopefully learn how to carry happily with me as my business scales.

What’s your best advice to others who want to Work From Home Forever?

Cameras on!! But here’s the thing. I don’t struggle with body issues or so seeing myself on camera is not psychologically damaging. But, I am aware that it is to others. So its finding a way to be in tune with each other and find the right tools that work for everyone. And, I have to remind myself to take a moment at the beginning of calls to just be casual, social, having open conversation before “getting to business.” I use slack for those cubical visit type conversations which allows others to engage when it works for them, not that I am able to barge in to their life, so allowing conversation to flow at a completely different rhythm than it might in the office, but it still can happen.

What are your three must-haves to Work From Home, Forever?

  • 1 – Slack
  • 2 – Camera
  • 3 – Task management software (even though this last one would be just as valuable in person)
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S3 E6 Founding Virtual Not Distant: Pilar Orti’s Journey to Support Remote Teams Work From Home Forever

On this episode of Work From Home Forever, Pilar Orti, a writer, podcaster, and the founder of Virtual Not Distant joins us on the show. Pilar shared her journey into remote work, which began in 2011, driven by her need to travel frequently to visit family. Initially trained as an actress, Pilar transitioned to remote work, finding comfort in working from home and utilizing coworking spaces when necessary. Pilar discussed her experience with coworking spaces, noting the practical challenges such as commuting time, costs, and temperature discomfort. She ultimately found working from home more comfortable and convenient. Pilar has set up a cozy home office with a standing desk and plenty of natural light, sharing the space with her husband, who prefers coworking spaces. Pilar emphasized the importance of maintaining work-life balance, avoiding work apps on her mobile phone, and setting boundaries with clients regarding availability. She highlighted the need for understanding individual work preferences and creating a work environment that supports personal well-being. In founding Virtual Not Distant, Pilar aimed to support remote teams and small businesses in utilizing online spaces for effective collaboration. She underscored the growing acceptance of remote work and the importance of flexibility in today's work environment. Pilar’s approach to work-life balance and her commitment to creating a supportive remote work culture are central to her philosophy and the success of Virtual Not Distant. Connect with Pilar: Website: Virtual Not Distant LinkedIn: Pilar Orti Listen to this episode from Pilar's podcast, Adventures in Podcasting, where I was her guest and we talked about my start in podcasting. ________________________  Do you love the show? Check out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠official merch page⁠⁠⁠ ⁠on Etsy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and support the show! ________________________
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